Houston narrows the gap with the Lakers in the NBA playoffs

Decisive victory

The Houston Rockets delayed the Los Angeles Lakers' qualification for the second round of the Western Conference playoffs in the NBA, securing their first win in the fourth game of a possible seven in the first-round series with a decisive 115-96 victory. Meanwhile, Frenchman Victor Wimpanyama made a successful return to his team, the San Antonio Spurs, putting them on the verge of qualifying.

In Houston, Amen Thompson scored 23 points, leading the Rockets, who avenged their painful overtime loss on Friday at home, to their first win in this series against LeBron James and his Lakers teammates.

Spurs and Boston in the lead

Meanwhile, the Spurs and Boston Celtics took a 3-1 lead in their respective series. San Antonio rallied from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-93 in the Western Conference, while Boston cruised past the Philadelphia 76ers 128-96 in the Eastern Conference.

Also in the East, the Toronto Raptors edged the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89, leveling the series at 2-2.

After failing to close out the series in Houston, the Lakers will attempt to seal the victory when they host Game 5 on Wednesday.

Despite the absence of their star player, Kevin Durant, the Rockets forced the Lakers into 24 turnovers, resulting in 30 points for the home team.

DeAndre Ayton leads the Lakers

LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion with three different teams, was held to just 10 points on two-of-nine shooting, along with nine assists and eight turnovers.

With Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves still sidelined with injuries, DeAndre Ayton led the Lakers with 19 points and 10 rebounds, but his team trailed by 19 points when he was ejected in the third quarter for elbowing Alperen Shingun in the head.

Tary Eason added 20 points and Shingun scored 19 for Houston, who are aiming to become the first team in NBA history to win a playoff series after trailing 0-3.